News: Missy Higgins, Global Warming, Tom Cruise, Eric Winter

New report from IPCC a terrifying forecast of the years to come: "Drawn up by more than 2,500 of the world's top scientists and their governments, and agreed last week by representatives of all its national governments, the report also predicts that nearly a third of the world's species could be driven to extinction as the world warms up, and that harvests will be cut dramatically across the world."

Australian attorney general urges supporters of man thought by many to be wrongfully convicted for gay man's murder to make a petition for mercy to the Governor of Victoria. The convicted man, Jamie Koeleman, has served 19 years in prison for the stabbing murder, which many claim was improperly investigated.

Woman and accomplice in drag sought in New York real estate open house burglaries: "According to the police, the pair conducted a two-hour crime spree on Oct. 28 during three open houses, beginning at noon at 14 East 96th Street, where a Tiffany clock and designer handbags were stolen. An hour later, a dress, earrings, a bottle of Champagne and diamond jewelry were stolen at 4 East 82nd Street from an apartment listed at $2.195 million. The third theft occurred about 2 p.m. at 188 East 78th Street, where a fur coat, a wallet and a Coach shoulder bag were taken, according to the police. On Sunday, the police said, the same couple turned to the Upper West Side, at a duplex at 2373 Broadway that is on the market for $1.9 million."

Arrests made in gay bashing of Top Chef contestant Josie Smith-Malave after victim's lawyer publicly criticizes police for not taking the attack seriously: "Melissa Trimarchi, 21, was arrested Saturday night on a misdemeanor assault charge, police said. She was released on an appearance ticket until a Nov. 30 court date. No working telephone number could be found for Trimarchi at the Sea Cliff address police gave, and they didn't know whether she had an attorney. Police also said Saturday that Elizabeth Borroughs, 20, had been arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of aggravated harassment. She also was released on an appearance ticket and is due in court Friday."

Family and friends of U.S. soldier Ciara Durkin, who was slain in Afghanistan under mysterious circumstances, still don't know why she was killed, but they don't think it was because of her sexuality: "Those close to her do not believe that Durkin was targeted because of her sexual orientation. Durkin had talked with her friends, before she enlisted, about the Army's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, which allows gays and lesbians to serve as long as they do not disclose their sexual orientation or act upon it. She was, they recall, not particularly concerned about being found out. Durkin apparently did not reveal that she was a lesbian while in the service and, according to one soldier who knew her, her unit members were as shocked by her death as the discovery that she was a lesbian."

If sexuality were fluid, there'd be no straight women. I think it's so bizarre how we constantly allow these entertainers to say the most ridiculous things and never call them on their crap. If she doesn't want to come out as lesbian, then why is she talking to a lesbian magazine about her sexuality? Why not come out as ambiguous in a magazine that's not related to the lesbian community. It's so freaking insulting.

Posted by: Raze | Nov 19, 2007 3:24:37 PM

No global warming this week here, we had our first snowfall. TC channeling AS.

Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Nov 19, 2007 3:46:30 PM

J, most people just don't want to believe that global warming is real. And even if they do, they know they are powerless to prevent it. We are in the hands of madmen bent on destruction all in the name of some insane apocalyptic mythology. Besides, according to one of the more current mythologies, jebus is coming back to fix everything or take his followers up to somewhere in outer space or something like that. But it wouldn't make much difference if he did come back, he'd be killed again by the powers that be. Seems to me that Al Gore is just as good as jebus in trying to wake up people to the grim realities of global warming. And he's getting crucified for it, too.

Posted by: the queen | Nov 19, 2007 3:50:24 PM

J, most people just don't want to believe that global warming is real. And even if they do, they know they are powerless to prevent it. We are in the hands of madmen bent on destruction all in the name of some insane apocalyptic mythology. Besides, according to one of the more current mythologies, jebus is coming back to fix everything or take his followers up to somewhere in outer space or something like that. But it wouldn't make much difference if he did come back, he'd be killed again by the powers that be. Seems to me that Al Gore is just as good as jebus in trying to wake up people to the grim realities of global warming. And he's getting crucified for it, too.

TOM CRUISE?? really ? he is such a homophobe and we shouldnt give a damn about him....a cute face is not enough to lower my standards...dont get too perez hilton on us..skip the celebs...they r so fuc**** boring

Posted by: Bosie | Nov 19, 2007 4:26:58 PM

Adrien, leave that nose alone!

Posted by: Himbo with Highlites | Nov 19, 2007 5:04:08 PM

Perhaps Missy Higgins sexuality is 'fluid', but I know many gay/lesbian identified people who do NOT have a 'fluid' sexual orientation. It bothers me when queer folk say things like this to the media because it give the impression that *everyone* has a fluid sexual orientation. That simply isn't true.

Posted by: peterparker | Nov 19, 2007 6:10:16 PM

Oh, but Peter, feminist theory dictates that sexuality is imposed by society and everyone would naturally be bi.

Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Nov 19, 2007 7:31:46 PM

So what *should* Missy do then, Peter? Should she be dishonest and say "I am bisexual" or "I am a lesbian" when she doesn't feel that way? Or should she keep her mouth shut and not comment on her sexuality at all?
I don't think either option sounds very fair.
I understand your concern that the public can misinterpret a concept such as "fluid sexuality", and then transfer that onto people who don't identify as "fluid", but the public can misinterpret a lot of other concepts too, believing that all gay men are "camp" or like 'whatshisname' or all lesbians are ___etcetera.
Surely that isn't Missy's problem. Surely she's entitled to identify herself as she wishes. Isn't that at the core of queer theory?

Posted by: Chaq | Nov 20, 2007 5:18:43 AM

I had the pleasure of meeting Missy Higgins a couple of years ago when she played here in Boston -- very charming young woman. Good for her for acknowledging herself -- it's better than all of those celebrities that vehemently deny they're anything but straight (WAY too many to list here).